It is a well-known fact that for many tinnitus sufferers, morning brings relief because their tinnitus seems quieter during this time.
So why can’t this quieter ringing, hissing or buzzing extend further into the day as the hours go by?
For some with the common problem of tinnitus — which has a large number of causes — the sound that only they can hear can become unbearably loud.
What Is It About the Morning?
“Some individuals are not as aware of their tinnitus in the morning, and this is likely due to their relative calm state of mind,” says Rivka Strom, AuD, CCC-A, Director of Audiology, Advanced Hearing NY Inc.
“When we are tired or more stressed during or after a long day of work, we are often more aware and disturbed by our tinnitus.
“Stress can be a trigger for tinnitus or the change in severity of tinnitus.”
Other sufferers report that their tinnitus is actually more pronounced in the morning.
This could be due to the lack of distraction while someone lies in bed early in the morning; no distraction of kids, pets, having to shower or make breakfast, check the e-mail, etc.
Instead, one is just lying there in a quiet room. What much else can they hear BUT their tinnitus?
Another point to consider for those whose tinnitus is louder in the morning, is that as they lie in bed, they start dwelling on what the day faces.
The anticipation of the day’s tasks may bring on anxiety and feelings of bleakness, which can aggravate the tinnitus. The exact science behind how this occurs is not known.
So it goes both ways: Some people have a quieter tinnitus in the morning, and for others, it’s louder or more noticeable.
Dr. Strom is a member of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association and has received several awards including Brooklyn College’s Excellence In Audiology Award.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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